Rita's Famous Dressing Balls

Transform your holiday dinner table with the irresistible charm of Rita's Famous Dressing Balls, a unique twist on classic stuffing that's perfect for wowing your guests. These golden, bite-sized orbs combine savory flavors of sautéed onion, celery, and garlic with warming herbs like sage and thyme, all bound together with fluffy cubes of day-old bread and a touch of rich stock. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these baked delights are an easy make-ahead side dish that adds a touch of elegance to any festive meal. Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy family gathering, this recipe delivers all the comforting flavors of traditional stuffing in a fun, portable form. Pair them with your favorite roast or enjoy them on their own as a standout seasonal treat!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 stalks Celery, finely diced
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dried sage
• 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1.5 cups Chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 large Eggs
• 4 cups Day-old bread, cubed into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil or cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery, cooking until softened, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, dried sage, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the fresh parsley.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed bread with the sautéed vegetable mixture. Toss to evenly coat the bread cubes with the buttery seasoning.

Step 6

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and chicken or vegetable stock. Pour this mixture over the bread and veg, gently tossing until the bread absorbs the liquid and holds together when pressed.

Step 7

Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form the mixture into golf ball-sized portions and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 8

Lightly brush or spray the dressing balls with olive oil to encourage crisping while baking.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the dressing balls are golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Step 10

Serve warm as a delicious side dish to your favorite holiday meal or celebration!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1261.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2064.6

Total Fat 88.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 496mg	0%
Sodium 6276.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 263.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.1g	0%
Total Sugars 25.1g
Protein 66.3g	0%

Vitamin D 82IU	0%
Calcium 515.3mg	0%
Iron 16.6mg	0%
Potassium 1254.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.6%

Protein: 12.6%

Carbs: 49.8%